By Marshall Zelinger
The Denver Channel
AURORA, Colo. — An 86-year-old great-grandmother cannot stop praising Aurora Police for helping her through a purse snatching, even though the creep is still on the loose.
Julia Brecht was grocery shopping at the Aurora Super Target off of Alameda Avenue in late October, when a thief snatched her purse while in the produce section.
“I see this young person running out of the store,” said Brecht.
It was a few minutes before she realized he took off with her purse.
“My billfold, the car keys, credit cards,” said Brecht.
Target loss prevention called Aurora Police.
“They went far beyond what any person like me would expect,” said Brecht.
Officers Craig Hess and Robert Little helped Brecht cancel her credit cards.
“They took it upon themselves to, at the store, go ahead and cancel her credit cards so they couldn’t be used,’ said Aurora Police spokeswoman Diana Cooley.
Their quick work prevented her cards from ever being used by the thief, but that’s just where their kindness began.
“They grabbed my shopping list. They bought the groceries. One brought me home. They went back to Target and brought my car home,” said Brecht.
She wanted to get home as soon as she could because she cares for her husband 24/7.
“I did say that he was blind and in a wheelchair and that I did not try to be away from him too long,” said Brecht.
Anyone would consider the actions of both officers above and beyond the call of duty, but they had one more surprise.
“Out of their own money, they changed the door locks to her front door, so she wouldn’t be victimized again if they came back to her address,” said Cooley.
“They went to Ace Hardware and purchased a new lock for our front door,” said Brecht.
“And they did this why?” asked 7NEWS reporter Marshall Zelinger.
“Well, to protect us,” said Brecht. “They were just absolutely incredible. We’re just very thankful,” said Brecht.
If you recognize the thief and call Crimestoppers at 720-913-STOP, you could earn a reward of up to $2,000.
Reprinted with permission from The Denver Channel.